Difference in GC-induced Adrenal Insufficiency in RA Related to Polymorphisms in the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene

Development of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced adrenal insufficiency is a serious adverse effect of GC treatment. It is today not possible to predict this adverese effect. The project aims at investigating a possible individuel aspect, which may render subjects more or less sensitive to glucocorticoids, and thereby influence development of GC induced adrenal insufficiency. The hypothesis is that subjects with one or another of the polymorpisms in the GC receptor gene will either have increased or diminished GC sensitivity. This may be responsible for differences in development of GC induced adrenal insufficiency.